Manager, Benefits and Wellbeing

Competition 1256

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this full-time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package that can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page and an annual salary range which will be commensurate with qualifications.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at Enterprise Square.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for Human Resources, Health Safety and Environment

The Human Resources, Health Safety and Environment (HRHSE) portfolio is composed of exceptional people creating a people focused culture to support the institution's vision. We lead with purpose, to create a workplace culture that supports the institution in strengthening its core teaching, research, community engagement, and student enrichment experience. HRHSE is a values-based portfolio; we incorporate our values of trust, accountability, relationship building and safety in everything we do. In HRHSE, we are made up of six teams that are responsible for providing the highest quality services to our campus community; Total Rewards, Talent Management, Organizational Development, Health, Safety and Environment, Employee and Labour Relations and HR Service Partnerships.

Position 

The Manager, Benefits and Wellbeing plays a crucial role in promoting the overall health, wellbeing, and productivity of faculty and staff within the university.

The role will be responsible for providing overall leadership and strategic direction in the design and delivery of effective and employee-focused strategies, programs, and services related to employee health and wellbeing. The Manager is subject matter expert and provides advice and guidance in the strategic planning, development, implementation, sustainability, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the University’s benefits, wellbeing and disability management programs and practices.

The role will be accountable to integrate benefits, wellbeing and disability management programs to provide a holistic approach to foster a more resilient workforce and improved health and wellbeing in the workplace. This role will be accountable to provide an approach that considers both workplace enablers and address workplace demands, to improve overall mental/emotional, physical, social, and financial wellbeing of employees. This role will be accountable to lead the promotion of healthy, preventative and restorative individual health programs and practices, so that the university can cultivate work environments that promote creativity and innovation.

Duties 

• Advances the university’s commitment to inclusive, equitable, and diverse benefits and wellbeing programs that are sustainable in the long-term
• Lead the development of a benefits and wellbeing philosophy that informs the purpose of programs and initiatives across the university
• Provides strategic leadership to the research, design, development, implementation and financial stewardship of the programs
• Conduct thorough assessments of current programs, employee feedback, industry benchmarks, and regulatory requirements to inform strategy development and maximize current programs.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement in program design, service delivery, and resource allocation to maximize the impact of initiatives, leveraging existing programs and where required, the development of new programs.
• Lead the development of a multi-year and annual plan that aligns with the university's strategic goals and priorities, emphasizing the enhancement of employee health, wellbeing, and productivity.
• Formulate comprehensive strategies for each key area, including benefits program management, wellbeing promotion, wellbeing initiatives, and disability management, to address the diverse needs of university faculty and staff.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and integration among key areas, recognizing the interconnectedness of wellbeing, benefits, and disability management.
• Develop cohesive and holistic solutions that address the continuum of employee health and support a culture of inclusivity, resilience, and equity within the university community.
• Establish communication channels and coordinate mechanisms to ensure seamless transitions between benefits enrollment, wellbeing initiatives, and disability accommodation processes for employees.
• Implement robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of integrated programs and initiatives.
• Collect and analyze data on participation rates, program utilization, employee satisfaction, health outcomes, and return-to-work metrics to measure progress against established objectives.
• Utilize findings to identify areas of success, areas for improvement, and emerging trends, and make data-driven adjustments to strategies and interventions as needed.
• Establish metrics and key performance indicators to assess program effectiveness and determine future needs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness or related field; Master's degree is an asset.
• Certification in Human Resources (e.g.CPHR), Wellness/Wellbeing/Health Promotion (e.g., CWPM, CHES), Disability Management (eg. CDMP), Return to Work (eg. CRTWC) or Benefits (CEBS) is an asset.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in human resources, benefits program management, wellbeing program management and/or disability management program management.
• Strong knowledge of employee benefits laws, regulations, and industry trends.
• Strong knowledge of Human Rights Legislation and the duty to accommodate, as well as Privacy Legislation and Workers’ Compensation Legislation.
• Ability to identify wellbeing, employee health and safety, benefits and disability management best practices and stay abreast of legislation and case law changes for continuous improvement of employee wellbeing programs.
• Experience in disability management program development, implementation and management, as well as managing the accommodation processes.
• Experience in benefit and/or well-being program development, implementation and management.
• Experience with developing policy related to benefits, wellbeing and disability management.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Post-secondary and public sector experience is an asset.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is an asset.